Best Video Doorbell Cameras of 2023
Find out who’s at the door with our list of the best video doorbells.


- Features 1080p HD video resolution
- Utilizes radar for 3D motion detection of your entire yard
- Set Alexa to greet visitors with customizable greetings

- Includes two-way audio
- Costs under $55
- Hardwired to your existing doorbell so no batteries to change

- Facial recognition available
- Utilizes infrared for crystal-clear video, even at night
- Wide 160-degree field of view
The front door is pivotal to your home security, so ensuring that it’s well-monitored should be top of your list if you want to make your home more secure. For that, we have two words for you: Video doorbells.
Video doorbells are a security camera, doorbell, and intercom rolled into one device, providing you the ability to see, talk to, and verify the identity of your visitors before opening the door for them. They also record activity at your front door, alert you to possible intruders, and give you a way to drive them away.
It’s clear that video doorbells are a great invention, especially if you look at the fact that almost every home security company today has its own version of the device. Sadly, that oversaturated the market, making it harder to decide on a video doorbell to buy. That’s why we’re here. Having tested many of the available options, we put together this list to point you to the direction of the best video doorbells.
Even with this guide, though, you still have a decision to make. So pay attention as we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each of our top picks.
Our Minimum Standards
Video quality | 1080p HD resolution |
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Field of view | 120 degrees |
Night vision | Infrared |
Audio | Two-way |
The Best Video Doorbells: YouTube Video Review
Find out more about the best video doorbells of 2023 with our handy YouTube video.
Comparison of the Best Video Doorbell Cameras
System |
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
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Wyze Video Doorbell
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Nest Doorbell
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Arlo Video Doorbell
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Logitech Video Doorbell
|
Lorex Video Doorbell
|
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Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
Ratings | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
Price | $249.00 | $54.98 | $179.99 | $149.99 | $199.95 | $129.99 |
Recording | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated |
Storage | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Local |
Field of View | 160 degrees | 110 degrees | 160 degrees | 180 degrees | 160 degrees | 160 degrees |
Video Quality | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1600p HD | 1536p HD | 1600p HD | 1080p HD |
Night Vision | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared |
Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smart home compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | N/A | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | HomePod or Apple TV | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Artificial Intelligence | Person detection available with Ring Protect plans | Person detection with Cam Plus | Person detection, facial recognition | Person, pet, package detection with Arlo Smart | Person, pet and vehicle detection | N/A |
Installation | DIY | DIY | Professional recommended or DIY | DIY | Professional recommended or DIY | DIY |
Read Review | Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 Review | Wyze Video Doorbell Review | Nest Doorbell Review | Arlo Video Doorbell Review | Logitech Video Doorbell Review | Lorex Video Doorbell Review |
Summary of the Best Doorbell Cameras
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - Best Overall
- Wyze Video Doorbell - Most Affordable Video Doorbell
- Nest Doorbell - Best for Google Assistant
- Arlo Video Doorbell - Best for People/ Pets/ Packages Detection
- Logitech Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell for Siri
- Lorex Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell with Local Video Storage
Detailed List of Best Video Doorbells
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1. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - Best Overall
Is it really a surprise that a Ring video doorbell is at the top of this list? Ring pioneered the evolution of video doorbells, so it’s no wonder that their doorbell cameras are ahead of the curve.
One of the most advanced video doorbells in existence is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which features a stunning 150-degree field of view both horizontally and vertically. With that, it’s able to offer a head-to-toe view without sacrificing its side peripheral vision. Essentially, there’s no place to hide. It also delivers clear day and night video, thanks to its 1536p HDR resolution and color night vision.
Here’s some more quick specs:
Resolution 1536p with HDR Field of view 150-degrees (horizontal and vertical) Night vision Color or infrared Dimensions (in inches) 4.49*1.9*0.87 Power source Hardwired Audio Noise and echo cancellation What We Liked
- Wide field of view
- Two-way audio
- Birds-eye view feature
- 3D motion detection
What We Didn’t Like
- Subscription required to save recorded video
- Not compatible with Google Assistant
- Pricey
- Ring’s ongoing privacy concerns
3D Motion Detection
Most video doorbells start recording only after the doorbell is pressed or motion is detected. Ring’s 3D motion detection improves on that by using radar technology to map out your front lawn and to set up thresholds that trigger Ring’s recording and alerts when crossed. As soon as someone gets within 10 feet of your front door, for instance, Ring can already start recording.
Bird’s Eye View Feature
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 also has a birds-eye view feature to augment existing live streams of video recordings and provide additional insight. The aerial perspective provides more context to your recordings.
For instance, when a package arrived while we were testing the doorbell, the Ring app showed us our delivery man’s journey up the driveway, reflected as a dotted line on a map. These details can really come in handy if there is an intrusion because they will paint a clearer picture of what happened before the culprit gets all the way to our front door.
Alexa Greetings
A video doorbell that lets you speak to guests through your smartphone is useful, but one that greets guests for you is even better. Thanks to Ring’s close ties with Alexa, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers Alexa Greetings.
When someone rings your doorbell, Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant will greet them after a short delay. Alexa can either take a message or deliver instructions on where to leave packages. Unfortunately, those are the only two things Alexa can do for now, but they can be immensely useful in combating package theft.
To enable Alexa Greetings, you’ll need a Ring Protect plan, which is the same subscription for Ring’s cloud storage service starting at $3 per month.
FYI: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a hardwired-only doorbell, but if you want a battery-powered option, Ring just released the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus. While it lacks 3D motion detection and Alexa Greetings, it offers the same head-to-toe viewing angle as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2.
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2. Wyze Video Doorbell - Most Affordable Video Doorbell
The new Wyze Video Doorbell is small, measuring just 3.25” x 1.5” .625”, but it doesn’t skimp on features. It has a built-in LED light for color night vision, downloadable videos, and a 3:4 aspect ratio, for instance.
It’s also one of the most affordable video doorbells, retailing for just $54.98.
What We Liked
- Affordability
- Stellar image quality
- LED light built-in
- Continuous power
What We Didn’t Like
- Need to pay extra for person detection
- Does not control your existing doorbell
- No local storage
- Narrow field of view
Cost
At just under $55, the Wyze doorbell is one of the most affordable video doorbells on the market. However, unlike some other bargain doorbells we’ve tested, Wyze performed relatively well. We got free cloud storage of 12-second clips for 14 days, motion detection, and head-to-toe video recording. The paid subscription, Cam Plus, was an additional $1.99 per month and got us both person detection (as opposed to motion detection) and event fast-forwarding.
Features Basic Plan Cam Plus Monthly price $0 $1.99 Sound-triggered alerts Yes Yes Motion-triggered alerts Yes Yes Smoke + CO sound-triggered alerts Yes Yes Cloud storage duration in days 14 14 Person detection No Yes Package detection No Yes Pet detection No Yes Vehicle detection No Yes Event fast-forwarding No Yes High-Quality Images
The Wyze doorbell may not be as fancy as the other doorbells on this list, but it more than meets our video quality standards. Its 1080p HD resolution impressed us, much like when we reviewed the Wyze security cameras. The color night vision, provided by its LED light, was also a nice touch, although we much better preferred using the infrared night vision.
The 3:4 aspect ratio was also noteworthy, as it gave us a full head-to-toe view of anyone standing in front of our door. The downside is that it loses some peripheral vision, so if you go with the Wyze doorbell, we recommend supplementing it with a Wyze camera on your porch. Fortunately, Wyze Cams are some of the most affordable security cameras in the market.
Continuous Power
Let’s face it: Recharging your video doorbell every six or so months is not fun. And since video doorbells play a vital role in home security, you wouldn’t want dead batteries to be the reason you lose critical video evidence in case of a break-in. With the Wyze Doorbell, which connects right to your existing doorbell setup, you wouldn’t have to worry about running out of juice. Yes, you might have to spend a few extra minutes setting up the doorbell’s wiring, but it’s set-and-forget once it’s there.
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3. Nest Doorbell - Best for Google Assistant
Google Nest is a smart home security powerhouse, and one of its greatest assets is the interoperability and interconnectivity of its products. If you use Google Nest products at home, then the best doorbell for you is the Google Nest Doorbell.
You have two options: a battery-powered Google Nest Doorbell or a hardwired version. Either way, your front door will have access to Google’s advanced facial recognition software, in addition to enjoying the smart home networking capabilities of Google Nest products.
What We Liked
- Innovative facial recognition feature
- Sleek, stylish design
- Worked seamlessly with Google Assistant and other Nest products
- Users set custom home and away rules
What We Didn’t Like
- Tricky to install and setup
- Subscription required to store video
- Relatively expensive device
- Required chime box to function
Google Functionality
Our Nest Doorbell video doorbell worked great as a standalone device, but because it’s from Nest, it also worked as part of our larger Nest camera system, including, for instance, our Google Nest Hub smart display and our Google Nest Mini smart speaker. And because Nest is part of the Google family, it’s set up to work seamlessly with Google Assistant voice commands. All we had to tell our phone was “Google, what’s on our doorbell?” and the app popped open with streaming live video.
Facial Recognition
Nest may not have pioneered the invention of video doorbells, but it did pioneer the use of facial recognition in security cameras. The Nest Cam IQ was one of the earliest cameras to offer facial recognition, and since then, every Nest camera comes with the feature, including the Nest Doorbell.
Nest uses facial recognition not just to tag whoever’s at your front door, but to deliver insightful notifications. You can create custom alerts based on facial recognition. For instance, we set our Nest Doorbell to alert us when an unfamiliar person approaches our front door, but not when a household member walks in. For parents, it’s also possible to set up notifications when their children get home so they know if their kids are safe and sound.
The downside is that you need a Nest Aware subscription to enjoy facial recognition. Nest Aware is Nest’s cloud service, which also enables cloud recording. And since the doorbells don’t record video without Nest Aware, we strongly suggest getting a subscription. Your options are the Nest Aware for $6 per month or Nest Aware Plus for $12 per month.
Nest Aware Nest Aware Plus $6/month or $60/year $12/month or $120/year 30-day event history 60-day event history No continuous recording 10-day continuous recording Familiar Face Alerts Familiar Face Alerts Tip: Privacy advocates have raised concerns about facial recognition software in video doorbells.1 To protect your own privacy, you should avoid using cameras in any sensitive areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
Clear Day and Night Vision
We were impressed by the Nest doorbell’s video resolution of 1600p HD, above the industry standard. It also had a 160-degree field of view. But the video wasn’t just clear in the daytime. The Nest Doorbell’s infrared night vision uses 850 nm LED sensors allowing us to see whatever was happening, no matter what time it happened.
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4. Arlo Video Doorbell - Best Smart Motion Detection
Arlo Video Doorbells feature some powerful AI technology. For instance, the camera in these doorbells can tell the difference between your next door neighbor stopping by, that tabby cat that likes to lay on your porch, and the box of chocolates you ordered from Godiva. Of course, unlocking that technology requires a subscription to one of the company’s Arlo Secure plans. You can test out a plan for free, though, when you purchase a camera, and prices for subscriptions start at a very affordable $12.99 a month.
What We Liked
- Integration with both Alexa and Google Assistant
- 1536 x 1536 pixel resolution
- Free seven days of cloud video storage
- Wired and wireless models available
What We Didn’t Like
- People, pets, and packages detection is only available with a monitoring subscription
- Confusing app interface
- Not IP rated
- No professional installation option
The Three Ps
The Arlo Doorbell has artificial intelligence that allows it to detect what we like to call the three Ps: people, pets, and packages. Thus, real-time alerts didn’t just let us know the camera had detected movement but also identified exactly what kind of movement it detected. That’s infinitely better than getting random alerts throughout the day and having to pull up footage to find out what’s going on at home. Plus, we always knew when a package had arrived, so we could take measures to outwit porch pirates, like having our neighbor store it until we got home.
Free Arlo Secure Trial
Of course, to get access to Arlo’s AI technology, you’ll have to purchase a subscription to Arlo Secure, the company’s monitoring service. Luckily, Arlo offers a free three-month trial of Secure with the purchase of a Video Doorbell. In addition to artificial intelligence functions, Arlo Secure gives you video resolution up to 4K, theft replacement coverage, and 30 days worth of cloud storage. Once the three months are up, you have to purchase a plan, but the basic subscription costs just $12.99 per month. Or you can upgrade to the Safe and Secure Pro plan and get full 24/7 professional monitoring for $24.99 a month.
Do It Yourself, Even With the Wired Model
Arlo’s cheapest video doorbell is a wired model. The company also has a wireless version, but it costs $50.00 more. A lot of people prefer wireless doorbells because they don’t require any technical know-how to install. The thing is, Arlo’s wired model is actually super simple to set up. Pop out your existing doorbell, twist a couple of wires together, and you’re done. Totally DIY in less the fifteen minutes (just be sure to follow their instructions). Arlo even includes easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions in the app. Plus, with the wired version, you never have to worry about changing batteries.
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5. Logitech Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell for Siri
The Logitech Video Doorbell has it all, nearly: great video quality, increased privacy, and a smooth app experience. If you’re an Apple loyalist like we are, you’ll want to add this to their collection.
What We Liked
- Secure cloud storage
- Easy installation process
- 1600p HD video quality
- Facial recognition
What We Didn’t Like
- Cannot view the feed from Androids
- No battery option
- Narrow viewing angles
- Only works with HomeKit
Straightforward Installation Process
Though we had the option to have the Logitech Video Doorbell installed professionally for an additional $100, we went for the DIY option. First, we connected the doorbell’s powerline using a micro-USB cable and a 5V 2A AC adapter. Then, we paired the doorbell to our Wi-Fi network. Next, we attached the chime kit to our existing transformer and our door chime, snapped the doorbell onto its mounting plate, and voilá! We were cooking with gas.
Color Night Vision
When we looked at night footage from the Circle View, we were impressed with the detail captured. Infrared night vision is the norm, but sometimes that footage looks grainy and blurs out important details. The Circle View used an LED light at night, which illuminated our whole front porch and even parts of our driveway. The feature turned on automatically there was motion and shined a bright beam of light onto visitors. We got quality footage in color, even when the sun had set.
Specific Motion Detection
We were most impressed with the Circle View Doorbell’s advanced motion detection. We pulled our car into the driveway just as a stray cat darted through our yard and a branch fell out of our neighbor’s tree. The Circle View reacted quickly and accurately to the series of events. It could tell what was a vehicle, an animal, and an inanimate object. We saw the series of events mapped out on a scrolling timeline within the app. We thought the mapping feature was really neat, and understanding an event in such detail would definitely come in handy for something more serious, like a burglary.
NOTE: The Circle View can’t pair with Alexa or Google Home.
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6. Lorex Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell with Local Video Storage
The Lorex Doorbell Camera is great for anyone who prefers a hardwired system that’s also completely DIY. Oh, and it also happens to be about half the price of most other video doorbells, costing just $129.99. That meant that we could secure our house without having to break the bank.
What We Liked
- Affordable price
- Local storage of up to 64 GB
- No monthly fees
- Infrared night vision
What We Didn’t Like
- No professional monitoring available
- No cloud storage
- Requires hardwiring
- No person detection
Low Price
A Lorex Video doorbell can be had for just $129.99, about half of what the more expensive examples on this list cost. It’s true that Lorex doesn’t come with some of the high-priced extras you might get elsewhere like cloud storage. But its 1080p HD video resolution matches the industry standard, and it offers a wide 160-degree field of vision. It also includes infrared night vision, two-way audio, and free local storage. That’s a heck of a lot of features to get for such a low price.
Sleek Design
The Lorex Video Doorbell is small and fairly unobtrusive, four inches by 1.7, and only one inch wide. That meant it didn’t give our front door a cluttered look. In fact, it didn’t look all that different from a traditional doorbell. The faceplate is a stylish black and silver, with rounded features within a rectangular casing. All-in-all, it told visitors we like our technology, but we also like it to blend well with our signature style.
Hardwired Setup
In general, we prefer hardwired video doorbell systems for one simple reason: no batteries required. Unfortunately, purchasing a wired system often means hiring a professional installer. Lorex, however, was completely DIY. We connected a few wires, attached the faceplate, and were done. It was hardwiring without the hassle!
Video Doorbell Methodology
What qualities do we look for in a video doorbell, and how do we know if something is up to par? In this section, we discuss exactly how we put this list together.
Design
We know that our doorbell is one of the first things visitors see at our home, so it is important to us that we like the aesthetics as well as the technology. The next thing we look for is durability. We want to know each video doorbell’s temperature range and then make sure that it doesn’t get any hotter or colder than where we live. Sometimes, IP ratings2 are also available. Those are very helpful in giving us an idea about how resistant it is to liquids and solids.
IP Ratings | Solids | Liquids |
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0 | Not Protected | None |
1 | A large body surface like the back of a hand, but no intentional contact with a body part | Dripping water falling vertically |
2 | Fingers or similar objects | Dripping water falling from 15-degree tilt |
3 | Tools, thick wires, etc. | Spraying water |
4 | Most wires, screws, etc. | Splashing water |
5 | Dust protected | Water jets 6.3mm & below |
6 | Dust tight | Powerful water jets 12.5mm & below |
7 | N/A | Immersion up to 1m |
8 | N/A | Immersion over 1m |
The next factor we consider is whether the video doorbell is battery-powered or hardwired. While hardwiring is certainly a more complicated process, we like that we don’t have to worry about changing the batteries if we go that route. If our video doorbell is battery-powered, on the other hand, we want to be sure that the battery life is six months or longer. We also prefer devices that notify us if the battery is low. Finally, we like to learn about the circumstances that trigger the doorbell to record, which is typically either when it senses motion or people, or when the doorbell is pressed. Sometimes there is also an option for 24/7 continuous recording.
Features
Of course, the main feature of any video doorbell is its camera, and we are sticklers for our security camera necessary features test. We review the cameras in terms of technical specifications as well as our own experience using them, judging them based on their video, audio, night vision, storage, smart platform integrations, and artificial intelligence capabilities. Keep reading for more detail about each.
Video
1080p HD is the industry standard for security camera video display. We also look for fields of view that are 120 degrees or wider. Finally, it’s nice if the camera can zoom optically or digitally, although it isn’t a deal-breaker if it can’t.
Audio
All of the video doorbells we review have built-in speakers and microphones which enable two-way audio. Two-way audio means that we can actually speak to whoever is in front of our doorbell camera, whether we are in the house or across the world.
Night Vision
We prefer infrared night vision over color night vision from a bright white light because it is way less conspicuous. LED sensors are hardly noticeable, and if we are recording an intruder at night, we want to make sure that they don’t know. Most video doorbells have infrared night vision. The strength of the LED vision depends on the amount of LED sensors, but there are no hard and fast rules.
Storage
There are a number of reasons to store our recorded footage. If we have an intrusion, we want some footage to show to the police. Sometimes, we like to store footage for sentimental reasons, like when we brought our dog home for the first time. Whatever reason, we always back up our footage in two ways, locally on a hard drive or device, as well as on the cloud.
Companies differ when it comes to local and cloud storage. Some offer cloud for free, some offer local for free, and some charge for both or give both for free. We also saw 60 days of cloud storage offered for $3 per month and 30 days of cloud storage offered for $6 per month, so there is some variance. The point is, storage is something we take very seriously and factor into the overall cost when choosing a video doorbell.
Smart Platform Integration

We know we want to purchase a video doorbell that integrates with the same smart home ecosystem we have. For us, that is either Amazon or Google. That way, we are able to control our doorbell camera, hands-free. And we can use it to trigger all our other smart home devices from light bulbs to televisions. For more on setting up a smart home, read our home automation guide.
Voice assistant | Compatible smart displays and speakers |
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Alexa | Echo Show, Echo Dot |
Google Assistant | Nest speakers, Nest Hubs |
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is key when it comes to video doorbells. They all work through motion detection; when they detect motion, we receive a mobile notification. But a lot of motion detected usually isn’t from people but from other moving objects. For example, we have some energetic squirrels pass through now and then. That’s where AI comes in handy. Person detection differentiates between people and other moving objects, while facial recognition tells us exactly who is at our front door. Unfortunately, the majority of video doorbells we review don’t have any AI capabilities, but these kinds of capabilities can be a huge advantage in giving us smarter, more specific notifications.
Installation
Depending on our video doorbell design, we either hardwire it into our home or operate it with batteries. It is always important to make sure that our home matches the video doorbell’s requirements before buying the doorbell. For example, some video doorbells require an existing doorbell setup while some don’t. If we don’t feel confident in hardwiring or otherwise installing our video doorbell, we hire a professional. Doing so usually costs us $100 or more,3 but at least in those cases, we know it is done correctly. The cheaper option, of course, is DIY installation, so we always make sure that we know what we are getting into before we purchase a video doorbell.
App
Finally, we thoroughly check out the apps. First, the app we use to control the video doorbell and its storage needs to be highly rated on either the Apple or Google Play store, depending on our mobile device. We prefer ratings of three stars and above and make sure to check out the most recent reviews to see the most current updates. However, we also run each app ourselves to see how easy it was to set up, how intuitive its controls are, and whether it allows us to fine-tune its features.
Best Video Doorbells FAQs
For more information on the best video doorbells, check out our FAQ below.
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Which is the best video doorbell?
Through our research, we’ve found the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, the Nest Doorbell Video Doorbell, the Wyze Video Doorbell, the Logitech Video Doorbell, and the Lorex Video Doorbell to be some of the best video doorbells.
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Is there a monthly charge for Ring doorbell cameras?
Ring does not require monthly fees for its video doorbells. However, we recommend signing up and paying for a Ring Basic protection plan for $3 a month ($30 a year) which comes with 60 days of video storage. Or upgrade to the Ring Plus protection plan for $10 a month ($100 a year) and get professional monitoring as well.
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How does a video doorbell work?
Video doorbells connect to a mobile application so we can see and speak to whoever’s at our front door from anywhere in the world. The camera comes with a speaker and microphone so we can have two-way conversations. Many video doorbells are motion-activated, notifying us whenever they detect motion, and some can even differentiate between people and other moving objects to make our notifications more relevant.
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What is the best video doorbell available without a subscription?
The best video doorbell available without a subscription is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. Among its many features, it comes with high-quality 1080p HD video, two-way audio, infrared night vision, compatibility with smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home, and customizable motion zones.
UIC John Marshall Law Review. (2019). Banning Facial Recognition in Chicago: A Moral and Legal Necessity.
lawreview.jmls.uic.edu/banning-facial-recognition-in-chicago-a-moral-and-legal-necessity/DSM&T. (2021). IP Rating Chart.
dsmt.com/resources/ip-rating-chart/Porch. (2021). How Much Does It Cost To Install A Doorbell?
porch.com/project-cost/cost-to-install-a-doorbell